CROSSING THE GRAIN - 25 YEAR DOCUMENTARY

CROSSING THE GRAIN - 25 YEAR DOCUMENTARY

In 1995, two friends launched Arbor to make environmental conservation the guiding principle in the production of their snowboard and skateboard products. Arbor would become the first action sports brand founded to focus on sustainability and formally commit to donating a portion of sales to the restoration of the environment. The story of how Arbor got from this idealistic start to the brand it is today, has never been told.
 
Now at the 25-year mark, the unique history of this pioneering company has finally been documented in Crossing the Grain. The film takes you through Arbor’s launch into an extremely crowded mid-90's boardsports market; its struggles to find acceptance for its sustainability message as the industry rapidly consolidated in the early 2000s; and the realization that it would take a more collective path forward to survive and thrive as the first eco-minded snowboard and skateboard brand.  
 
Crossing the Grain is an insightful look at how the business was saved, how the brand’s founding commitments were reinforced, and ultimately how Arbor earned its place as one of today's most innovative and enduring brands.
 

Filmed and edited by @blackkoles

In 1995, two friends launched Arbor to make environmental conservation the guiding principle in the production of their snowboard and skateboard products. Arbor would become the first action sports brand founded to focus on sustainability and formally commit to donating a portion of sales to the restoration of the environment. The story of how Arbor got from this idealistic start to the brand it is today, has never been told.
 
Now at the 25-year mark, the unique history of this pioneering company has finally been documented in “Crossing the Grain.” The film takes you through Arbor’s launch into an extremely crowded mid-90's boardsports market; its struggles to find acceptance for its sustainability message as the industry rapidly consolidated in the early 2000s; and the realization that it would take a more collective path forward to survive and thrive as the first eco-minded snowboard and skateboard brand.  
 
"Crossing the Grain" is an insightful look at how the business was saved, how the brand’s founding commitments were reinforced, and ultimately how Arbor earned its place as one of today's most innovative and enduring brands.
 

Filmed and edited by @blackkoles

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Message From Our Founder

As we look forward to the next 25 years, we plan to stick to the collective approach that got us here. It underpins our ability to evolve with our ever-changing industry, in ways that are true to this Brand. It’s a heritage that strengthens our capacity to deliver for our customers and the planet, and contribute to snowboarding and skateboarding.

Our success will continue to be a product of the larger Arbor family, and the common goals we share. It’s about Staff who live our values, and drive the collaboration that steers the ship; Team Riders who personify our beliefs, and help lead the product and content development that makes Arbor tangible; Artists who define our ethos with light, color, and imagery; and Dealers who ground us in the realities, inspirations, and needs of our community.

Today, we measure that success in many ways. The quality and performance that our process delivers year-in and year-out. The innovations in sustainability that we continue to offer the market. An understanding of the larger experience our customers seek, and the ability to deliver products that meet those evolving needs. And the lasting impact our give-back efforts have on the natural world. Efforts that allow us to be part of a program that has now planted over 350,000 trees in Hawaii. Returning Roots to the people and place at the genesis of the surf/skate/snow experience.

Arbor’s mission remains – deliver responsible progression by blending forward thinking design and traditional craftsmanship, with sustainable materials and production methods. We’re going to keep having fun doing just that. Thank you for being part of it all.

Founder and CEO

Message From Our Founder

As we look forward to the next 25 years, we plan to stick to the collective approach that got us here. It underpins our ability to evolve with our ever-changing industry, in ways that are true to this Brand. It’s a heritage that strengthens our capacity to deliver for our customers and the planet, and contribute to snowboarding and skateboarding.

Our success will continue to be a product of the larger Arbor family, and the common goals we share. It’s about Staff who live our values, and drive the collaboration that steers the ship; Team Riders who personify our beliefs, and help lead the product and content development that makes Arbor tangible; Artists who define our ethos with light, color, and imagery; and Dealers who ground us in the realities, inspirations, and needs of our community.

Today, we measure that success in many ways. The quality and performance that our process delivers year-in and year-out. The innovations in sustainability that we continue to offer the market. An understanding of the larger experience our customers seek, and the ability to deliver products that meet those evolving needs. And the lasting impact our give-back efforts have on the natural world. Efforts that allow us to be part of a program that has now planted over 350,000 trees in Hawaii. Returning Roots to the people and place at the genesis of the surf/skate/snow experience.

Arbor’s mission remains – deliver responsible progression by blending forward thinking design and traditional craftsmanship, with sustainable materials and production methods. We’re going to keep having fun doing just that. Thank you for being part of it all.

Founder and CEO

To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we used the last two Koa logs sourced by Arbor’s co-founder, Chris Jensen, to create a limited edition Koa topped Element. The Element is our cornerstone Mountain-Twin. For 25 years it’s been the board we’ve built our line around. We’re proud to offer it one last time with Hawaiian Koa.

SIZES: 153 , 156 , 159 , 161W

The Arbor brand was launched with the Element and it remains as essential to our line as it was on day one. This all-terrain snowboard continues to adopt the technology of the times without straying from its mission to be the most versatile, resort mountain-twin available, and provide amazing top-to-bottom performance. Available in both System Camber and System Rocker. The System Camber design offers a poppy ride with crisp, fully engaged performance. The System Rocker design provides a surfy ride with natural float and cleaner tracking.

Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary
Element Camber 25th Year Anniversary

SIZES: 153 , 156 , 159 , 161W

The Arbor brand was launched with the Element and it remains as essential to our line as it was on day one. This all-terrain snowboard continues to adopt the technology of the times without straying from its mission to be the most versatile, resort mountain-twin available, and provide amazing top-to-bottom performance. Available in both System Camber and System Rocker. The System Camber design offers a poppy ride with crisp, fully engaged performance. The System Rocker design provides a surfy ride with natural float and cleaner tracking.

Skate Film Strip Archive 1/2
Skate Film Strip Archive 2/2

25th Year Anniversary Edition Skateboards

Limited edition offering to celebrate Arbor’s 25th Anniversary. Built with sustainably sourced Hawaiian Koa, the wood that started all.

L: 28.75" | W: 8.125" | WB: 15.00"

Mellow concave and a wide standing platform make this cruiser comfortable, fun, and functional.

Paris Street 129mm Trucks

Arbor Bogart 61mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

L: 28.75" | W: 8.125" | WB: 15.00"

Mellow concave and a wide standing platform make this cruiser comfortable, fun, and functional.

Paris Street 129mm Trucks

Arbor Bogart 61mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

L: 40.00" | W: 8.75" | WB: 30.50"

A snowboard–inspired drop–through for easy around town cruising, relaxed commutes, and mellow downhill.

Paris Reverse 50o 180mm Trucks

Arbor Outlook 69mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

L: 40.00" | W: 8.75" | WB: 30.50"

A snowboard–inspired drop–through for easy around town cruising, relaxed commutes, and mellow downhill.

Paris Reverse 50o 180mm Trucks

Arbor Outlook 69mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

L: 28.75" | W: 8.125" | WB: 15.00"

Mellow concave and a wide standing platform make this cruiser comfortable, fun, and functional.

Paris Street 129mm Trucks

Arbor Bogart 61mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

L: 40.00" | W: 8.75" | WB: 30.50"

A snowboard–inspired drop–through for easy around town cruising, relaxed commutes, and mellow downhill.

Paris Reverse 50o 180mm Trucks

Arbor Outlook 69mm 78A Wheels

ABEC 7 Bearings w/ Spacers

Founder's Archives

EST. 1995

Founder's Archives

EST. 1995

Founders Archive Shots 1/6
Founders Archive Shots 2/6
Founders Archive Shots 3/6
Founders Archive Shots 4/6
Founders Archive Shots 5/6
Founders Archive Shots 6/6
Returning Roots Logo

Not Just Planting Trees,
Rebuilding Forests.

The Arbor Collective has been committed to the protection of forests since day one. Our focus is the restoration of Hawaii’s native Koa highlands. The Hawaiians invented surfing as early as 800 years ago, on boards made from Koa wood. Through this important program, Arbor is giving back to the planet, and to the roots of the surf/skate/snowboard experience.

Not Just Planting Trees,
Rebuilding Forests.

The Arbor Collective has been committed to the protection of forests since day one. Our focus is the restoration of Hawaii’s native Koa highlands. The Hawaiians invented surfing as early as 800 years ago, on boards made from Koa wood. Through this important program, Arbor is giving back to the planet, and to the roots of the surf/skate/snowboard experience.

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